CHRIS Morgan said he is “delighted” to have been given the Cornish Pirates armband for next season.

The flanker was announced as the man who will lead the Greene King IPA Championship side during their 2014/15 campaign with full-back and Canadian international Matt Evans as vice-captain.

Morgan skippered the Mennaye Field side 15 times last season after Gavin Cattle, the man he has taken over from, picked up an injury.

With this experience already behind him, the 32-year-old hopes he can utilise this in the full time role.

The announcement was made onboard the Scillonian ship as the team travelled to the Isles of Scilly for pre-season team building.

Speaking to the Packet, Morgan said: “I was happy to be asked to take over from Gavin and it is a big honour to become the captain at a club with the history that the Pirates has.

“It was hard at times to captain last year when senior guys like Gavin and Alan Paver were out injured and with the rest of the team were quite young, you had to help those guys through.

“But it was a good learning curve with me as I had to learn to be a captain and not let it affect my game.

“I want to be a captain that leads by example, as I think that is the best way of doing the job, and I’m very excited about the season ahead with signings we’ve made and the guys from last year getting more experience.”

With Cattle still around in the squad on top of working in a coaching role at Mennaye Field, Morgan admitted it would be a bit daunting having the club legend around still.

However, he added it is also a positive thing to have a player like the scrum half on his side.

“Taking over from Gavin will be tough,” Morgan said.

“When you look at the success the club has had in recent years, whether it be with the league play-off finals or winning the British and Irish Cup, the man captaining the side was Gavin.

“He is a legend, but it is also time to start a new chapter at the club and having Gavin around to talk to will be a bonus.”

He also said having Evans as his vice-captain is also a big positive.

Morgan said: “Matt has wanted to take on more responsibility at the club and is vastly experienced played at club and international level.

“He helps out a lot at training, so I think he’ll fit well into the role.”

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